Importance

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Abstract

A duct reinforcement and a method for building the reinforcement including a special tool for use in a preferred method are disclosed. The duct reinforcement icludes a support washer on each of two opposing sides of the duct to be supported and a stiff wire extending through the sides of the ducts and both washers. The portion of the wire protruding beyond each support washer on the outside of the duct forms a hook with a tip of the wire substantially opposed to the outer face of the respective support washer. A preferred form of the support washer forms a volcano-shaped contour surrounding the washer hole on the outer face so that the tip of the wire makes contact with the washer inside the crest of the volcano-shaped contour. A preferred arrangement includes a rubbery seal between each support washer and the respective side of the duct to prevent leakage from the duct. A preferred method for reinforcing a duct includes bending one end of a wire into a hook, placing a support washer against one side of the duct, inserting the non-hooked end of the wire through the support washer and both sides of the duct until the tip of the hooked end of the wire substantially opposes the outer face of the support washer, placing a second support washer over the still straight end of the wire, cutting the still straight end of the wire to a length suitable for hooking and bending it into a hook with the tip substantially opposed to its respective support washer. A specially designed tool aids in measuring, cutting, and bending the wire.

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First Claim